Supplements

A child’s first years are marked by countless milestones, from rolling over to learning letters to taking their first steps—followed quickly by taking their first run. Proper nutrition—which includes smart dietary choices and taking natural and organic supplements—can make a child better able to handle the rapid physical and mental growth he or she undergoes during this important developmental period. Here’s how your store can support your tiniest clients at each stage of the game.

Often, we don’t know what we need to make our lives more convenient, until some new technology arrives to show us. People got by without the Internet fairly well in the pre-digital era, but can you imagine life without it now? If so, good for you! You’re a more resourceful sort than the rest of us over-connected Web crawlers. But the point here is that the same general principle applies to retailing. Once you’ve integrated or upgraded to some of the technologies described below, you’ll never know how you got by without them.

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is found in every cell membrane in the human body, and is responsible for providing energy to the cells for maintenance and growth. Additionally, it works as an antioxidant, fighting any damage to cells caused by free radicals. It can be found in its highest concentrations in the organs that need the most energy, such as the heart and liver. Some healthy adults get an adequate amount of the coenzyme naturally through their diets, but other individuals, including adults over 40 years of age, may benefit from a CoQ10 supplement.

The disease state known as diabetes mellitus involves dangerous blood sugar dysfunction, that much is certain. But this complex disease has many layers. There are questions regarding cause, risk, prevention, complications, means of support and potential solutions that must be addressed on an individual basis, but with an eye to the larger problem posed to society by diabetes and associated conditions.

Imagine if you collected all the protein powder containers you’ve sold in the past 20 years. You and your staff could likely erect a wall to rival the one built by the ancient Chinese. Your average consumer may most closely associate sports nutrition with protein powder, but today’s market is completely different.

Sprouting up in neighborhoods across eight different states and counting, a relatively young chain of grocery stores trades on a decidedly old-time look and feel. “When you walk into a Sprouts Farmers Market, it’s supposed to feel a little bit different than your everyday grocery store,” says communications manager Lauren Rosenblum. With fresh produce and wholesome grains sold from wooden crates and barrels, and spacious aisles all brightly lit to evoke the feel of a sunny afternoon outdoors, the store makes quite the impression on first-time shoppers. There are a lot of those lately, as the chain expands rapidly and grand openings generate excitement in new markets.

The gift of life comes with the curse of aging. Some embrace their lines and wrinkles as badges of honor, while others try to fight off the beast as long as naturally possible. Those who want to keep their youthful glow may have their favorite creams, serums and lotions to ward off the look of old age, but may come to you wondering, “Is there anything else I can do?” Guide their soft-skinned hands to the supplement section and introduce them to cosmeceuticals, an internal anti-aging option that won’t involve any rubbing. Anti-aging supplements come in many different forms, some that your customers may not realize could benefit their skin from within, but all have the potential to keep your customers looking fresh and youthful for years to come.

As the weather heats up, many of your customers will be ramping up their physical activity levels. Accordingly, WholeFoods has decided to provide you with five months of education on Sports Nutrition. The subjects we’ll cover within this fast-growing natural products segment include Foods and Drinks for Athletes, Energy and Endurance, Muscle Support, Respiratory Support and this month’s topic, Weight Management.

What’s going on in that head of yours? A lot! Neurons are firing, blood is pulsing, hormones are being secreted and other players in the symphony of brain activity are working in harmony. But this accord can be disrupted, sometimes by aging, diet, genetic makeup or other factors. In the end, one’s memory and mood could suffer. Luckily, a smart nutritional regimen can support brain health today and many years down the road.